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Edmonton's Ottawa Mission Raises Regional Priorities

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 20, 2012) - A 10-member delegation of Edmonton business and community leaders is in Ottawa to raise awareness with the federal government about workforce challenges faced by Edmonton business. The delegation will also highlight issues related to opportunities in northern Alberta and Canada's North, and the importance of tourism for Edmonton.

Jointly led by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), the delegation is meeting with a number of ministers and senior government officials, including Minister of International Trade and Asia-Pacific Gateway Ed Fast, Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, and Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Lynne Yelich.

"In the interest of creating the best environment for business in Edmonton, it is in the business community's best interest to build and strengthen relationships with the federal government," says Martin Salloum, president and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

"Sharing success stories and having direct interaction with industry decision makers are vital to communicating our region's priorities," says Brad Ferguson, president and CEO of EEDC. "Having a strong delegation representing business, industry and academia brings tremendous value to our mission and our members of Parliament."

Building on last year's visit, this year's two-day mission, ending today, has received significant support from Edmonton-area government MPs, all of whom are key proponents for the Capital Region's priorities in Ottawa.

Delegation members consist of Canadian Western Bank incoming president and CEO Chris Fowler, Clark Builders president and CEO Paul Verhesen, NAIT president and CEO Glenn Feltham, Norquest College president and CEO Jodi Abbott, Nunastar Properties president and CEO Doug Cox, Chamber chair and RGO Office Products Edmonton Ltd. president Ken Barry, Savvia Inc. CEO Lindsay Dodd, Chamber president and CEO Salloum, Chamber vice president of public affairs Robin Bobocel, and EEDC's Ferguson.